Morocco Aims To Prove They Are A Major Football Nation In AFCON Final, Says Regragui

Morocco and Senegal meet in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, with the hosts targeting a landmark title on home soil and Senegal aiming to confirm their recent dominance in the competition, as two

of Africa’s leading teams contest a first-ever AFCON meeting.

Both sides have come through demanding knockout paths. Morocco beat Tanzania, Cameroon and Nigeria to return to the final for the first time since 2004, while Senegal defeated Sudan, Mali and then Egypt to reach a third final in the last four editions.

Morocco’s run includes a penalty shoot-out success over Nigeria in the semi-finals, which has revived memories of the 2004 campaign when Tunisia won 2-1 in the final. This time the hosts arrive with momentum, having kept four straight clean sheets at AFCON for the first time in their history.

Coach Walid Regragui frames the occasion as a test of Morocco’s status among Africa’s elite teams. "I think we deserve to be in the final. We have played top teams like Mali, Cameroon and Nigeria, and now we will be facing another of the best teams," said Regragui.

Regragui stresses that only trophies will change external views of Morocco’s level. "Eventually, people are going to accept that Morocco are actually a major football nation. But to go to the next step, we have to win titles, so Sunday’s match is really important in terms of our history. "

Expectations around the host nation are high before this final, yet Regragui insists personal belief does not depend on results. "Even if we had been knocked out in the first round, that would not have prevented me from believing in myself and telling myself I am a good coach," Regragui said.

The coach underlines that past achievements secure his self-assurance, regardless of outside opinions. "What I have done in the past cannot be taken away from me. I am not expecting people to give me anything. I am not claiming to be the best. The most important thing is that Morocco are in the final. "

Focused preparations ahead of the Final against Senegal #DimaMaghrib pic.twitter.com/9B067s4P4dquipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) January 16, 2026

Africa Cup of Nations contenders: Senegal and AFCON experience

Senegal arrive with strong recent form in the Africa Cup of Nations, having played more matches than any other team since the 2019 edition. During that span, Senegal have recorded 24 games, winning 17 of them, scoring 38 goals and keeping 16 clean sheets, underlining consistent tournament performance.

Pape Thiaw’s squad includes several established names. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy offers security at the back, Idrissa Gana Gueye anchors midfield, while captain Kalidou Koulibaly usually organises the defence. However, Koulibaly is suspended for this final, ruling out one of Senegal’s most experienced defenders at a crucial moment.

Sadio Mane again carries a major attacking role for Senegal and has already confirmed a personal milestone. The forward has stated this will be the last match played at this tournament. "I am a soldier of the nation, and I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches," Mane said.

Mane’s priorities remain fixed on collective success rather than individual farewell focus. "But that’s not the most important thing for me. The most important thing is to bring this cup to Dakar. " That ambition matches Senegal’s recent record of reaching the final in three of the last four Africa Cup of Nations editions.

Africa Cup of Nations stars to watch: Mane and Diaz at AFCON

Senegal forward Sadio Mane has been a creative force during this Africa Cup of Nations. Mane has created 18 chances, all from open play, which is the highest total on record for open-play chance creation by any player at a single AFCON since data collection began in 2010.

Mane’s scoring record in AFCON knockout matches also stands out. The former Liverpool player has four goals in knockout games, which is double the tally of any other Senegal player in these rounds. One more such goal would make Mane only the fifth player to reach five knockout goals, excluding third-place play-offs.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz chases history on multiple fronts in this Africa Cup of Nations final. Diaz has scored five times in six matches at this tournament. One more goal would make Diaz the first player to score in six different games at a single AFCON staging.

Diaz is also close to a national milestone. No Morocco player has yet claimed the AFCON Golden Boot outright, and Diaz could change that with another strike. Having scored against Tanzania in the last 16 and Cameroon in the quarter-finals, Diaz may also become only the second Morocco player to reach three knockout goals at one edition, after Youssef Mokhtari in 2004.

Africa Cup of Nations numbers: AFCON final matchup and prediction

This Africa Cup of Nations final delivers a new head-to-head on the biggest stage. Senegal and Morocco have never previously faced each other at AFCON. It is also the first final between teams meeting for the first time in the competition since 1996, when South Africa beat Tunisia 2-0.

Senegal’s wider final record in the Africa Cup of Nations brings a different narrative. Despite their regular appearances, Senegal have yet to score a goal in any of their three previous AFCON finals. They are the only nation to have contested more than one final in the tournament without registering a single goal.

Morocco’s defensive form at this Africa Cup of Nations adds another layer to the contest. The team has produced four consecutive clean sheets for the first time at AFCON. Only Ivory Coast, with runs of six in 2012 and five in 1992, and Cameroon, with five in 2002, have managed longer single-edition shutout streaks.

Data from the Opta supercomputer points slightly towards Senegal before kick-off, with that model rating Thiaw’s side as favourites to lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy, even though Morocco approach the game with strong defensive momentum and the advantage of playing at home.

The Opta model’s match probabilities for the Africa Cup of Nations final are detailed below.

The statistical edge held by Senegal, combined with their AFCON experience and Mane’s influence, is balanced by Morocco’s defensive solidity, home support and the scoring threat of Diaz. Both teams arrive with clear motivations, long campaigns behind them and a chance to reshape their Africa Cup of Nations history on Sunday.